Kyoto: A Critical Examination of Climate Change Denial in America
"Kyoto" is a thought-provoking play that delves into the United States' failure to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to combat climate change. The play, which originated in the UK and made its US debut at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater, portrays the Americans as both villains and fools in the fight against climate change. The narrative revolves around Don Pearlman, a former Reagan administration official turned Big Oil lawyer-lobbyist, who obstructs global efforts to address climate change. The play presents a critical view of individuals like Pearlman, highlighting their inhumanity and lack of regard for the environment.
The characters in "Kyoto" are portrayed as one-dimensional figures, lacking depth and development. Only Pearlman's wife, Shirley, shows a hint of growth as she becomes enlightened about the environmental cause. The play features numerous lectures and discussions on climate change, including the role of Big Oil in suppressing information about the link between petroleum and climate change. Despite its lengthy runtime, "Kyoto" struggles to engage the audience with its characters and storytelling, relying heavily on expository dialogue and monologues.
The play incorporates various climate conferences, including one in Brazil where delegates are entertained with a production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The staging and performances in "Kyoto" aim to capture the urgency and intensity of climate debates, with actors delivering impassioned lines and emphasizing the gravity of the situation. However, the play's reliance on heightened emotions and repetitive dialogue, coupled with the use of a symbolic gavel to build tension, may detract from the overall impact of the production.
As "Kyoto" nears its conclusion, Pearlman delivers a guilt-inducing speech, highlighting the collective responsibility for environmental degradation. The play challenges the audience to reflect on their own contributions to climate change and the need for individual accountability. Despite its ambitious themes and timely subject matter, "Kyoto" struggles to fully engage viewers due to its heavy-handed approach and lack of nuanced character development.